Rodgers also had McDermott who was a full-time chief scout at the time.

However, McDermott now has just Gibbs, Bibbo and Halabi as his backroom staff and the Academy faculty have also been affected as of late.

Head of recruitment Steve Shorey has now been made chief scout and former Academy assistant manager Geoff Warner has exited with Lee Herron doubling up his role to take over.

After Royals’ storming end to the last campaign, 49-year-old McDermott will be confident his current coaching staff will be well equipped to steer the club to a top-six finish and a place in the play-offs at least.

* Club captain Ivar Ingimarsson is making good progress in his return from hamstring surgery and could be fit in time for the season opener against Scunthorpe United at Madejski Stadium on August 7.

The 32-year-old centre-back went under the knife at the end of last season to fix the injury he suffered in the 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough at the Riverside on Saturday, March 20.

* Centre-back Mitchell Nelson claims he turned down offers from Reading and Crystal Palace to join League One side AFC Bournemouth.

The 20-year-old moved to the Cherries from Tooting & Mitcham, but had a trial at Royals last season, featuring in the reserve team’s 1-0 win over Plymouth Argyle.

* Reading’s home game with Cardiff has been put back 24 hours to Wednesday, November 10 (8pm kick-off.)